And with the Astros firing Bo Porter Monday, there's speculation that Martinez could be one of the candidates to replace him. Martinez interviewed with Houston in 2012 for the managerial job and was said to be a finalist when Porter got the job.

Martinez, 49, said before Tuesday's game he hasn't been contacted by the Astros, but would be interested if called.

"My job is to be the bench coach with the Rays and help this team succeed," said Martinez, who has also previously interviewed for manager jobs with the Cubs, Indians and Blue Jays. "If another opportunity arises, I'd welcome the opportunity. (The Astros) are good people over there. I've interviewed with them before. If they do call me, I'd be looking forward to it."

The Astros fired Porter Monday, saying the dismissal had not as much to do with the 59-79 record as a need for a "new direction" and "united message throughout the entire organization." Martinez, the Rays bench coach the last six seasons, has been impressed with the young talent the Astros have added over the years.

"They're going to be really, really good, and not that far into the future," Martinez said. "We'll see, I'd love the opportunity. I feel like I'm ready. I've been with one of the best managers in baseball (Rays manager Joe Maddon), he's taught me a lot, I know a lot. I'm looking forward to getting that opportunity."

Met with crane, luhunor, geoge biggio was there. It wa good. Good baseball peope. We still got best par to the eason righ tnwo the last month.

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The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2015 season with Evan Longoria, Chris Archer, Alex Cobb and plenty of new faces, including manager Kevin Cash. Can they upend the Orioles in the highly competitive AL East? Come here to follow Rays news at Tropicana Field and beyond.